Photo Credit : Camille Santiago

Mackenzie Kamâmak Brown is a 30 year old Cree artist, educator, and community leader from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, now based in Calgary. As the owner of Kamâmak, she bridges Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through cultural education, storytelling, and art. Her background includes serving as Director of Industry Development at Indigenous Tourism Alberta, where she helped grow the organization’s membership province-wide and led the creation of Business development, resources, and cultural-awareness training and allyship resources now used across Canada. She is currently the Executive Advisor of Indigenous relations at the Glenbow Museum, where she works with communities from turtle island and beyond to help with repatriation, reconciliation, strategy development, community engagement and curatorial vision.

A multidisciplinary creative, Kamâmak is a muralist, painter, traditional crafts artist, drummer, and singer. She performs nationally and internationally with Warrior Women, a performance and teaching duo she created with her mother. Her work is grounded in Cree culture and language, which she continues to revitalize through public art, education, and weekly Cree-language classes. Recognized with numerous awards -- including Calgary Mayors indigenous Artist of the Year 2025 and Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 -- she is dedicated to fostering connection, understanding, and cultural pride through every facet of her practice.

Theoren Royal is a member of the Siksika Nation and serves as Manager of Corporate Affairs and Communications for the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council, representing the collective interests of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Amskapi Piikani Nations. With over a decade of experience across sectors including human and social services, economic development, tourism, energy, and investment, he leads the development and execution of strategic communications and marketing initiatives that support Nation-building priorities. His work spans high-level government relations, major event coordination, digital media strategy, and the advancement of initiatives such as Destination Blackfoot, cross-border advocacy, and Confederacy-wide programs aligned with long-term strategic planning.

Grounded in his identity as Niitsitapi, Theoren Royal’s work is driven by a commitment to advancing the well-being of Siksikaitsitapi and upholding the legacy of his people. Recognized for his ability to translate complex ideas into impactful messaging, he applies expertise in branding, storytelling, and digital engagement to strengthen organizational presence and influence. His approach centers on communications as a tool for connection, ensuring that Blackfoot voices, priorities, and stories are effectively represented across local, national, and international platforms.